Liquid activating techniques



Jan. 12, 1965 A. A. ARAUJO, JR

LIQUID ACTIVATING TECHNIQUES Filed Feb. 13. 1961 Il /Ill NEXS" United States Patent Ofifice 3,165,628 LIQUID ACTIVATEQG TECHNEQUES Armando A. Arauio, Jr., Freeport, N.Y., assignor to Ionic Corporation of America, Westbury, N.Y., a corporation of New York V Filed Feb. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 89,030 I 3 Claims. (Cl. 250-43) This invention relates generally to techniques for ac tivating water or other liquids to impart cleaning, bleaching, sterilizing and other properties thereto, and more particularly to a compact water activator which may readily be interposed in a water line.

The automatic washing machine has in recent years hecome a standard home appliance, the machine usually operating in conjunction with a dryer to wash and dry the household laundry. There are more than fifty million such machines now in use in the United States. In order to clean clothing and other fabrics placed in the machine, it is necessary to add soap or detergents to the water, and in some instances blueing and disinfectants are also introduced;

The widespread use of detergents has created a number of serious problems. Even with repeated rinsing, detergents are diflicult to remove from clothing, and they tend in time'to yellow garments. Blueing is therefore necessary to disguise such discoloration. Moreover, in some cases, allergenic responses are encountered because of toxic detergent deposits. Also, the presence of detergents in water waste acts to clog drain and sewer systems.

A further drawback which attends the use of ordinary soaps and detergents arises from the fact that to clean effectively, the water must be relatively hot. As is well known, hot water is injurious to manyvfabrics such as those made of wool fibers. V

In drying wet wash in gas or electric dryers, rather than outdoors, the natural benefits of the sun are lost and the sterilizing and bleaching action of the suns rays are not obtained. Thus commercial dryers fail to destroy harmful bacteria and odors resulting from soap and other agents are not effectively removed. Also the use of heat at a high level in dryers, with the residual presence of detergents in the garments, promotes yellowing.

In view of the foregoing, it is the main object of this invention to provide a technique for activating liquid whereby negatively charged ions and allotropic oxygen are intermingled with the liquid to impart the desired properties thereto.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may be installed in an automatic washing machine to activate the water therein whereby washing actions may be carried out without the use ofsoaps or detergents.

An important feature of the invention resides in a compact and efficient water activating adapter which may readily be inserted in the water line coupled to the washing machine to activate the water flowing therein. A device of this type may be manufactured at low cost and is inexpensive to operate, thereby effecting a considerable saving in laundry costs, to say nothingof the superior results.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide an ultra-violet ray generator which is adapted not only to produce the ionically charged atmosphere to activate the cleaning water but which also acts to irradiate and sterilize the water, thereby obivating the need for fungicides and the like.

Also an object of the invention is to provide an ultraviolet generator of the above described type whichis also useful in charging the moist atmosphere in a commercial dryer so as to destroy bacteria and to .deodorize the material being dried.

A further object of the invention is to provide an activatingadapter for connection to a water line which includes a flow control valve serving to draw in the charged atmosphere from a generator chamber when the water flows through the line and to block passage to said chamber when water flow is arrested.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished by means of radiant energy generator producing rays in'the wave length region of 1800 to 6000 angstroms, the/generator operating within a chambervented to the atmosphere to create a relatively high concentration of allotropic oxygen and negatively charged atmospheric ions, means being provided to couple the chamber to a water line in a manner whereby the charged gas is drawn into said line to blend with the water only when water flow is unimpeded therein.

For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is'an elevational view of a conventional wash ing machine having a water-activating adapter coupled to the input waterline, the adapter being shown in section. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of the pipe section in the adapter. i

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the check valve element in the adapter.

FIG. 4 is asectional View of a piston type check valve for use in an adapter, the valve being shown open.

FIG. 5 shows the same piston valve when in closed position.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown the casing of a conve n tionalautomatic or semi-automatic Washing machine 10 of any standard design, the machine having the usual water inlet coupler 11. Attached to the coupler 11 and interposed between coupler 11 and a water line 12 is a water-activating adapter in accordance with the invention, the'adapter being designated generally numeral 13. e

Y The washing machine is arranged to admit water into a receptacle for fabrics to be cleaned, the fabrics being agitated so as to promote cleaning and the separation of dirt particles therefrom. The water having the dirt therein is drained andfinally the fabrics are rinsed and spin dried in the usual manner. The construction of this machine forms no part of the invention and it is only described in order to distinguish the ordinary operation of the machine when detergents or soap are used as against when no detergents or soap are used and the water is activated.

The activator 13 is constituted by a box-like chamber 14 having a pipe section 15 extending therethrough, the section terminating at either end in threaded coupling heads 16 and 17 for connection to the machine inlet 11 and water line 12, respectively. Mounted within the chamber 14 is an ultra-violet ray generator in the form of a lamp 18 producing rays in the Wavelength region of 1800 to 6000 angstroms. The interior walls of the cham- Patented Jan. 12, 1965 ber are preferably silvered ,to enhance the action of the rays on the atmosphere.

Lamp 18 may .be of the type comprising a filament 19 heated from the alternating-current power-line through a plug 20, the filament being mounted in bulb or envelope 21 of quartz or other material permeable to ultra-violet. In the bulb is a trace of mercury at low pressure, the heat generated by the filament vaporizing the mercury. In practice a bank of such lamps may be used, such as eleven OZ4-H4 tubes having 10 voltfilaments connected in series to a 110 volt line.

The rays from bulb 18 are concentrated by a reflector 22 toward a quartz porthole 33 sealed. in the wall of pipe section :15, the water-flowing through the section being thereby irradiated.

The ultra-violet energy generated within the chamber 14 charges the atmosphere to produce negatively charged ions within the chamber, and it produces stable and unstable-forms of oxygen, the unstable form quickly decomposing into a stable molecule of oxygen and a free oxygen atom. When this free atom of oxygen is blended with water, the water is converted to the peroxide valence H which is a bleaching agent as well as an antiseptic.

Thus the atmosphere within chamber 14 becomes activated with negatively charged ions and allotropic oxygen. To blend the charged atmosphere with the water flowing in pipe section 15, the section is provided with a suction inlet in the form of a lateral stub 15a having a one-way check-valve element 24 mounted therein, the valve acting in conjunction with a venturi construction 1512.

As in FIG. 3, the valve element is constituted by flexible material impervious to the activated liquid such as Teflon. The element 24 at the intake is conically shaped, the apex of the .cone being projected to form at the exhaust and flattened lips 25 which may be distended and opened by gas pressure.v The shape is similar to a common r noise maker.

In operation, when water flows through pipe section 15 into the washing machine 10, the vacuum created by the venturi action of the water acts to suck or siphon in the charged gas from the chamber 14, the gas intermingling with and activating the water feeding into the machine. The atmosphere drawn into the machine from the chamber is replenished through a small vent hole in the chamber or through ordinary box leakage. The amount of leakage through the box relative to the strength of the generator should be such as to maintain a fairly high concentration of energized gas. In this way a high degree of water activation is attained.

The activated water effects a cleaning action by reason of the negatively charged ions which attract and separate dirt particles from the fabric. The charged water also acts as an antibacterial agent and disinfects the fabric being cleaned, destroying unpleasant odors. The water need be only slightly warm, in the order of 100 F, the temperature being suificient to emulsify grease, but not so hot as to set the grease into the fabric as occurs with the level of heat ordinarily used with soaps. Thus damage to woolens and other fabrics is prevented, and not only is the cleaning action superior to conventional techniques but the garments so cleaned Will have a longer wearable life.

It will be appreciated that the same apparatus may be coupled into showers or other washing facilities and its use is not limited to cleaning fabrics. In connection with drying operations, the charged gas produced in the chamber may be also led into the dryer system through a duct 14a to intermingle with and ionically charge the moist air therein. The circulation of moist'air through the ion chamber gives the moisture and air the added atom which aids in destroying bacteria and in deodorization.

In the piston valve and blender shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve is designed so that when the flow of water through the valve is interrupted the blending port is blocked to prevent flooding of the ion chamber 14. The valve isyconstituted by a cylinder 26 having an inlet pipe '27 and an outlet pipe 28 extending axially from the ends thereof. The ion chamber communicates with the interior of the cylinder through a lateral blending port or tube 29.

Reciprocally disposed within the cylinder is a piston consisting of an upper section 30 having a venturi passage 31 bored therein and a lower section 32 having a similar venturi passage 33 bored therein. The two sections are maintained in spaced relation and are held together by a pair of bolts 34 and 35 to provide a blending chamber 36. The piston is normally urged upwardly within the cylinder by a helical spring 37 which is compressed between the lower end of the cylinder and the, lower piston section 33. When the water output is turned off, the pressure from the flow of water through the piston is cut off and the spring forces the piston upwardly to cause thelower section to block the gas intake passage. When, however, the water is permitted to flow again or is turned on, the water pressure will force the piston down until the blending chamber is in line with the blending intake port 29. Thus the action of the piston valve is controlled by water flow.

It is also possible to switch on the electric power to the ultra-violet generator simultaneously with the opening of the intake port. This can be done with a pressure responsive switch whereby the action of the generator is entirely automatic and as soon as the washing machine is put into use, the charged gas is supplied thereto.

As compared to conventional washing operations, the ionic technique disclosed herein make possible a significant reduction of the time necessary to clean and rinse a garment, and especially in the case of non-colored goods, the ultimate whiteness and freshness of the fabric are markedly better than when soap or detergent is used.

An important application for this invention is in connection with swimming pools where the activation of the Water will inhibit fungus growth and thereby obviate the need for chlorine and similar expedients. The resultant water will be far pleasanter for swimming activity.

While there have been shown what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be manifest that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit A of the invention. It is intended, therefore, in the annexed claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: i

1. Water-activating apparatus comprising a chamber, a pipe section extending through said chamber adapted for interconnection with a water supply system, a source of ultra violet radiation disposed within said chamber, means for admitting air into said chamber into exposure with said source, unidirectional pressure responsive valve means in said pipe section disposed within said chamber for admitting irradiated air from said chamber into the interior of said pipe section, said pipe section including a venturi passage to cause said irradiated air from said chamber to be sucked into said section, said unidirectional valve means preventing flow of water into said chamber when water passage through said section is blocked.

2. Water-activating apparatus comprising a chamber, a pipe section extending through said chamber adapted for interconnection at its ends with a water supply system, a source of ultra violet radiation disposed within said chamber, means for admitting air into said chamber into exposure with said source, unidirectional pressure responsive valve means in said pipe section disposed within said chamber for admitting irradiated air from said chamber into the interior of said pipe section in response to the pressure in said chamber being greater than the pressure in said pipe section and for preventing water from said pipe section from flowing into said chamber when water flow in said section is blocked.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said valve means is constituted by a lateral stub on said pipe section and a flexible valve element mounted within said stub and constituted by a cone whose mouth is sealed to the rim of said stub, the apex of the cone being projected to- "MEL 7 ward said pipe section and being flattened into a pair of 2,731,027 lips which distend when pressure is applied thereto 2,844,727 7/ 58 Maciszewski et a1 25043 through said cone. 2,960,975 11/ 60 Bergstrom 25043 References Cited by the Examiner 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 441,457 5/ 12 France. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,190,769 7/16 Jurist 5 45 R1 s-LPH G- NILSON: Primary Examlner- 2,301,315 11/42 Opp 250-43 ARCHIE R. BORCHELT, Examiner.

2,369,966 2/45 Hawkins 250'83.3 10 V 

1. WATER-ADCTIVATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A CHAMBER, A PIPE SECTION EXTENDING THROUGH SAID CHAMBER ADAPTED FOR INTERCONNECTION WITH A WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, A SOURCE OF ULTRA VIOLET READIATION DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR ADMITTING AIR INTO SAID CHAMBER INTO EXPOSURE WITH SAID SOURCE, UNIDIRECTIONAL PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS IN SAID PIPE SECTION DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER FOR ADMITTING IRRADIATED AIR FROM SAID CHAMBER INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID PIPE SECTION SAID PIPE SECTION INCLUDING A VENTURI PASSAGE TO CAUSE SAID IRRADIATED AIR FROM SAID CHAMBER TO 